Preparations are well under way for China's first manned space
mission, widely expected to rocket an astronaut into orbit within
the next few weeks or months, Science and Technology Minister Xu
Guanhua said Tuesday.
"As far as I know, all the preparatory work for the launching of
Shenzhou V is going very smoothly," Xu told a news conference.
He declined to say when China would try to become the third
country to send a man into space after the former Soviet Union and
the United States.
Reports have said the launch will occur in the second half of
this year and there is rampant speculation it could take place
around the time of National Day on October 1.
"I think relevant departments will announce relevant details,"
said Xu.
China has also announced plans for probes of the moon and
Mars.
Xu said Beijing's manned space initiatives would help spur
hi-tech growth.
"On the one hand, we are paying close attention to the important
achievements in space research and development our astronauts can
make while in flight," he said.
"On the other hand, we are looking forward to these technologies
playing an even greater role in various civil aviation fields."
(China Daily September 17, 2003)